Kit for orienting anchor bolt mounted in concrete and method of using the kit

ABSTRACT

A kit for orienting an anchor bolt mounted in concrete can include a cylindrical body and a plurality of shims. The cylindrical body can be positionable over the anchor bolt when the anchor bolt is mounted in concrete. Each of the plurality of shims can have a thickness defined in a circumferential direction relative to the central longitudinal axis. Each of the thicknesses can be less than one fourth of the circumference of the cylindrical body. Each of the plurality of shims can have a width defined in a radial direction relative to a central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to anchoring fasteners in substrates.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,641,256 discloses an ANCHORING DEVICE FOR A THREADED MEMBER. The anchoring device for anchoring a threaded member such as a screw or bolt in a substrate material includes an anchoring sheath for receiving the threaded member. The anchoring sheath includes annular anchoring ribs formed around a body portion of the anchoring sheath and at least one longitudinal rib extending along at least a portion of the body portion of the anchoring sheath and extend outwardly from the anchoring sheath. In a sheath with more than one longitudinal rib, the longitudinal ribs lie in different planes which intersect at the longitudinal axis of the anchoring sheath. The anchoring sheath preferably includes top and bottom regions which have no annular or longitudinal ribs. The bottom region can have an extended length to accommodate threaded members of varying lengths and a hole providing drainage of water, ice, or other debris as the threaded member is tightened into the sheath. The top region can further include a sleeve positioned around the sheath to match the modulus of elasticity of at least the top portion of the anchoring sheath to that of the substrate, and to prevent fractures in the substrate caused by stress in the substrate. The anchoring sheath may be coated with a resilient, elastomeric layer.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

A kit for orienting an anchor bolt mounted in concrete can include a cylindrical body and a plurality of shims. The cylindrical body can be positionable over the anchor bolt when the anchor bolt is mounted in concrete. The cylindrical body can extend a length along a central longitudinal axis between a top end and a bottom end. The cylindrical body can define a radially-outer surface extending a first circumference about the central longitudinal axis. The radially-outer surface can be spaced a first radius from the central longitudinal axis. The radially-outer surface can define an interface between the cylindrical body and the concrete when the cylindrical body is positioned over the anchor bolt and the concrete has been poured. The cylindrical body can define a radially-inner surface extending a second circumference about the central longitudinal axis. The radially-inner surface can be spaced a second radius from the central longitudinal axis. The radially-inner surface can be positioned radially inward of the radially-outer surface. The radially-inner surface can be concentric with the radially-outer surface. The radially-inner surface can define an interface between the cylindrical body and the anchor bolt when the cylindrical body is positioned over the anchor bolt and the concrete has been poured. Each of the plurality of shims can have a thickness defined in a circumferential direction relative to the central longitudinal axis. Each of the thicknesses can be less than one fourth of the first circumference. Each of the plurality of shims can have a width defined in a radial direction relative to the central longitudinal axis. A first shim of the plurality of shims can have a first width greater than a difference between the first radius and the second radius. A second shim of the plurality of shims can have a second width less than the difference between the first radius and the second radius.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembly of a cylindrical body to an anchor bolt according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the cylindrical body positioned on the anchor bolt;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the assembly of first and second shims in a cavity according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first shim according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second shim according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a final assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, a kit for orienting an anchor bolt 12 mounted in concrete 14 can include a cylindrical body 10 and a plurality of shims 16, 116. The cylindrical body 10 can be positionable over the anchor bolt 12 when the anchor bolt 12 is mounted in concrete 14. The cylindrical body 10 can extend a length 24 along a central longitudinal axis 18 between a top end 20 and a bottom end 22.

The cylindrical body 10 can define a radially-outer surface 26 extending a first circumference 28 about the central longitudinal axis 18. The radially-outer surface 26 can be smooth along the entire length 24. The radially-outer surface 26 can be spaced a first radius 30 from the central longitudinal axis 18. The radially-outer surface 26 can define an interface between the cylindrical body 10 and the concrete 14 when the cylindrical body 10 is positioned over the anchor bolt 12 and the concrete 14 has been poured.

The cylindrical body 10 can define a radially-inner surface 32 extending a second circumference 34 about the central longitudinal axis 18. The radially-inner surface 32 can be spaced a second radius 36 from the central longitudinal axis 18. The radially-inner surface 32 can be positioned radially inward of the radially-outer surface 26. The radially-inner surface 32 can be concentric with the radially-outer surface 26. The radially-inner surface 32 can define an interface between the cylindrical body 10 and the anchor bolt 12 when the cylindrical body 10 is positioned over the anchor bolt 12 and the concrete 14 has been poured.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, a first shim 16 of the plurality of shims 16, 116 can define a top surface 38, a radially inwardly-facing surface 40, a radially outwardly-facing surface 42, a bottom surface 44, and circumferential side surfaces (such as the circumferential side surface referenced at 46). A second shim 116 of the plurality of shims 16, 116 can define a top surface 48, a radially inwardly-facing surface 50, a radially outwardly-facing surface 52, a bottom surface 54, and circumferential side surfaces (such as the circumferential side surface referenced at 56).

Each of the plurality of shims 16, 116 can have a thickness defined in a circumferential direction relative to the central longitudinal axis 18. The thickness of the first shim 16 is referenced at 58 and the thickness of the second shim 116 is referenced at 158. Each of the thicknesses can be less than one fourth of the first circumference 28. Each of the plurality of shims 16, 116 can have a width defined in a radial direction relative to the central longitudinal axis 18. The width of the first shim 16 is referenced at 60 and the width of the second shim 116 is referenced at 160. The first shim 16 can define a variable width with a maximum width referenced at 60 and minimum width referenced at 60′; the second shim 116 can define a constant width. A height of the second shim 116 is referenced at 168. The first width 60 can be greater than a difference between the first radius 30 and the second radius 36. The second width 160 can be less than the difference between the first radius 30 and the second radius 36.

The cylindrical body 10 can be solid between the radially-inner surface 32 and the radially-outer surface 26 to ensure that the cylindrical body 10 will maintain its shape when the concrete 14 is poured around the anchor bolt 12. The cylindrical body 10 can formed from a material that renders the cylindrical body 10 destructible by hand with unpowered hand tools. For example, after the concrete 14 has set, the cylindrical body 10 can be dug out, broken down, destroyed, and/or picked apart by a tool such as a screwdriver. The cylindrical body 10 can thus be sacrificial.

The cylindrical body 10 can be formed from a foam material. The cylindrical body 10 can be formed from extruded or expanded polystyrene foam. The cylindrical body 10 can be formed other materials that will retain form when positioned in the concrete 14 but will be easily removable from the concrete 14 without release coatings. For example, one or more embodiments of the cylindrical body 10 can be formed from cork.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the cylindrical body 10 can be defined by first and second halves 62, 162. Each of the first and second halves 62, 162 can define half of the radially-inner surface 32 and half of the radially-outer surface 26. A quantity of adhesive can be disposed on at least one of the first and second halves 62, 162, such as the quantity of adhesive referenced at 64. The adhesive 64 can be operable to bond the first and second halves 62, 162 together around the anchor bolt 12.

In another approach to mounting the cylindrical body 10 (defined by first and second halves 62, 162) to the anchor bolt 12 can include taping one of the first and second halves 62, 162 to the anchor bolt 12, the first half 62 for example. The tape can be pressed against the surfaces of the first half 62 so that the second half 162 can be positioned flush with the first half 62. Tape can then be used to tape the second half 162 to the first half 62.

A method of orienting the anchor bolt 12 using the kit will now be described. The method can begin by mounting the anchor bolt 12 to extend vertically upward. The anchor bolt 12 can include a base end 70 and shaft 72 extending the base end 70 to a distal end 74. Threads can be defined at the distal end 74. The cylindrical body 10 can then be positioned over an upper portion of the anchor bolt 12, a portion of the shaft 76 proximate to the distal end 74. The cylindrical body 10 can be positioned over the threads or below the threads. Liquid concrete 14 can then be poured around the anchor bolt 12 and the cylindrical body 10.

After the concrete 14 has set, the cylindrical body 10 can be removed by irreparably dismantling the cylindrical body 10. The cylindrical body 10 can be dug out with a tool such as screwdriver or a nail or any other tool. The entire cylindrical body 10 can be removed so that the surface of the concrete 14 is exposed. When the cylindrical body 10 is removed, a cavity is defined with a bottom and an inwardly-facing wall 78, as referenced in FIG. 8.

After the cylindrical body 10 has been removed, the first shim 16 can be drive down into the cavity between the anchor bolt 12 and the inwardly-facing wall 78. The first shim 16 can be used to urge the anchor bolt 12 in a particular direction so that the distal end 74 will be moved to a desired positioned. The position of the distal end 74 after the concrete 14 sets may not be desirable. The first shim 16 can be placed at a position along the circumference of the wall 78 that is opposite to the direction that the distal end 74 will be moved. The first shim 16 can be driven down to a first depth and the surface 40 can act against the shaft 72 to bend the anchor bolt 12 in a first direction, referenced at 80 in FIG. 8. The deeper the first shim 16 is driven into the cavity, the more the shaft 72 will be bent.

After the first shim 16 has been positioned, the second shim 116 can be driven into the cavity between the anchor bolt 12 and the inwardly-facing wall 78 on a side of the cavity opposite to the first shim 16. The second shim 116 can be driven into the cavity a second depth and thereby bending the anchor bolt 12 in a second direction opposite to the first direction 80. The second depth will be less than the first depth.

The shims 16, 116 can be altered in size as necessary at the worksite. Further, the process of positioning the shims 16, 116 and determining the respective depths can be iterative. After the distal end 74 is positioned as desired, the first shim 16 and the second shim 116 can be submerged by pouring grout 82 in the cavity.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other present disclosures in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved. 

1.-9. (canceled)
 10. A method of orienting an anchor bolt mounted in concrete comprising: mounting an anchor bolt to extend vertically upward; positioning a cylindrical body over an upper portion of the anchor bolt wherein the cylindrical body extends a length along a central longitudinal axis between a top end and a bottom end, wherein the cylindrical body defines a radially-outer surface extending a first circumference about the central longitudinal axis, the radially-outer surface spaced a first radius from the central longitudinal axis, wherein the cylindrical body defines a radially-inner surface extending a second circumference about the central longitudinal axis, the radially-inner surface spaced a second radius from the central longitudinal axis, the radially-inner surface positioned radially inward of the radially-outer surface, the radially-inner surface concentric with the radially-outer surface, said positioning resulting in the radially-inner surface defining an interface between the cylindrical body and the anchor bolt; pouring concrete around the anchor bolt and the cylindrical body, said positioning and said pouring resulting in the radially-outer surface defining an interface between the cylindrical body and the poured concrete; and removing, after said pouring, the cylindrical body from the anchor body by irreparably dismantling the cylindrical body.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said removing is further defined as: removing, after said pouring, all of the cylindrical body from the anchor body by irreparably dismantling the cylindrical body and thereby defining a cavity with a bottom and an inwardly-facing wall.
 12. The method of claim 11 further comprising: driving a first shim of a plurality of shims into the cavity between the anchor bolt and the inwardly-facing wall, wherein each of the plurality of shims has a thickness defined in a circumferential direction relative to the central longitudinal axis and each of the thicknesses is less than one fourth of the first circumference, each of the plurality of shims has a width defined in a radial direction relative to the central longitudinal axis, the a first shim of the plurality of shims has a first width greater than a difference between the first radius and the second radius and a second shim of the plurality of shims having a second width less than the difference between the first radius and the second radius.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein said driving is further defined as: driving the first shim of the plurality of shims into the cavity between the anchor bolt and the inwardly-facing wall down to a first depth and thereby bending the anchor bolt in a first direction.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising: driving the second shim of the plurality of shims into the cavity between the anchor bolt and the inwardly-facing wall on a side of the cavity opposite to the first shim.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said driving the second shim is further defined as: driving the second shim of the plurality of shims into the cavity between the anchor bolt and the inwardly-facing wall down to a second depth and thereby bending the anchor bolt in a second direction opposite to the first direction.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said driving the second shim is further defined as: driving the second shim of the plurality of shims into the cavity between the anchor bolt and the inwardly-facing wall down to the second depth less than the first depth.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising: submerging the first shim and the second shim by pouring grout in the cavity. 